The 10 best road trips in the USA

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Best romantic road trip: Pacific Coast Highway, California. Route: Route 1, from Monterey to Morro Bay (123 miles). Let’s hope your partner makes your heart soar; if not, the unimaginably gorgeous views from the Pacific Coast Highway will. The highway jogs alongside California farms and cliff-edged beaches, across high bridges and near groves of towering redwood trees. Tour the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium, enjoy lunch at a posh Carmel-by-the-Sea cafe, see the famous waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (check the updated status of the park), and take a sunset stroll at Big Sur. There are plenty of romantic Victorian bed-and-breakfasts where you can spend the night. Getty Images

Best out-of-this-world road trip: Dark Sky Parks, Panguitch to Torrey, Utah. Route: Scenic Byway 12 (270 miles). Utah has 11 certified International Dark Sky Parks, so why not create a road trip to all of them? In addition to the well-known Bryce Canyon, other parks with an IDA-certified designation include Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Cedar Breaks and Kodachrome Basin. Along the way, you can glamp in a Conestoga wagon and yurt. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can start at Zion and make your way through the state’s five national parks, ending at Arches in Moab. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best road trip in the middle of nowhere: Marathon to Presidio, Texas. Route: U.S. Highway 385, FM-170 (160 miles). The only companions you’ll have during long stretches of this paved, two-lane road through Big Bend National Park are cacti and migratory birds. This is one of the most isolated of all U.S. national parks, but it’s also one of the most dramatic, with desert, canyon and mountain landscapes. Santa Elena Canyon is worth the detour from the main park road to see its 1,500-foot drop-offs. Stop for lunch at the 1930s-era Starlight Theatre in the historic Terlingua Ghost Town. Movie buffs will marvel at the abandoned Western film sets at Contrabando. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best mountain road trip: Beaver Creek to Keystone, Colorado. Route: Interstate 70 (70 miles). Whether you’re planning an epic ski vacation or an outdoor adventure trip during the off-season, the Rocky Mountains are your best bet for a mountain road trip. Start in Beaver Creek and then head to Vail. During summer Vail is home to “Epic Discovery,” where you can zip line, alpine coaster, summer tube and more. Make stops at Cooper Mountain, Frisco and Breckenridge, then end in Keystone. Just don’t leave without having dinner at the Ski Tip Lodge. Getty Images

Best thrill-seeking road trip: The Road to Hana, Hawaii. Route: Routes 36 and 360, from the town of Kahului to Hana and a little beyond (68 miles). Brace yourself – literally – for the ride of your life. Maui’s Hana Highway may sound tropically dreamy, with its lush rainforests, multi-tiered waterfalls and scenic turnouts, but it’s not for the faint of heart – or weak of stomach. The winding, narrow road encompasses hundreds of curves and dozens of bridges (many of which are one lane), and the first time a fearless local in an SUV zooms by you, you’ll wonder where your breath went. Good places to stop and find it? The Keanae Arboretum (just past mile marker 16), Upper Waikani Falls (mile marker 19), and Kaeleku Caverns (mile marker 31). Getty Images

Best wildlife road trip: Jackson to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Route: U.S. 191 (82 miles plus mileage within the park). Bison, elk, wolves, moose, bears and dozens of bird species live in America’s first national park, making it one of the best places in the United States to view wildlife. While animals are abundant inside the park, you’ll likely see some species on the short drive from Jackson to the park’s south entrance, and at Grand Teton and Jackson Lake along the way. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best motorcycle road trip: Los Angeles to Taos, New Mexico. Route: Interstate 40 (916 miles). Aching to be your very own counterculture hippie on a soul-searching odyssey? Billy and Wyatt (aka Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda) covered this course and then some in the 1969 film "Easy Rider." They were headed to New Orleans for Mardi Gras; if you don’t have it in you to make such a lengthy trip, we suggest just covering the section from California to New Mexico (or at least Flagstaff, Arizona), with a detour to the Grand Canyon. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best foodie road trip: Stowe to Rochester, Vermont. Route: Route 100 (49 miles). Farms, breweries, wineries, creameries, gourmet shops and restaurants are nestled along the rolling pastures of Route 100, which bisects the prettiest state in New England. Take a leisurely drive along the north-south artery and its side roads, stopping to nibble artisanal cheeses at various farm shops and creameries. Sip apple cider and buy maple syrup at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, and taste robust red wines at Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge. Browse Weston’s Vermont Country Store – its retro candies alone are worth the stop. And the grand finale? A tour of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory in Waterbury. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best classic America road trip: Beartooth Highway, Montana. Route: U.S. Highway 212, from Red Lodge to Cook City, Montana (68 miles). A zigzagging road with countless switchbacks, endless views and steep climbs, the Beartooth Highway seems to have changed little since Civil War General Philip Sheridan led 120 men along the route. Certainly, the views are the same: snow-topped rocky mountains, the bluest of blue skies and bypasses through Custer National Forest, Shoshone National Forest and Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. No wonder longtime road tripper Charles Kuralt, the late CBS correspondent, called it “the most beautiful drive in America.” Note that the road is only open mid-May through mid-October. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best fall foliage road trip: Lead Hill to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Route: Arkansas State Highway 7 (179 miles). I’d normally select New England for autumn’s most kaleidoscopic colors, but even its most out-of-the-way back roads can be congested during peak periods. Instead, drive along Arkansas’ first state-designated scenic byway to Ozark National Forest, which has 42 different species of oak trees, plus hickories, maples, beech and ash, among others. Such a vast variety of trees results in unimaginable colors painting the region’s low river valleys and hillsides. If you get an early enough start, have breakfast or lunch at Cliff House Inn and Restaurant overlooking Arkansas’ version of the Grand Canyon, in the town of Jasper. Getty Images/iStockphoto

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A road trip is as American as a barbecue on the Fourth of July. The open highway. Sing-along playlists. A cooler full of sodas and snacks. Unforgettable conversations about nothing and everything.

The United States has a grand variety of road trip-suitable routes, from straight shots across deserts to stomach-churning switchbacks through the mountains. Whatever type of adventure you seek, however much time you have and whatever you want to see, there’s a road out there for everyone.

Best romantic road trip: Pacific Coast Highway, California

Route: Route 1, from Monterey to Morro Bay (123 miles)

Let’s hope your partner makes your heart soar; if not, the unimaginably gorgeous views from the Pacific Coast Highway will. The highway jogs alongside California farms and cliff-edged beaches, across high bridges and near groves of towering redwood trees. Tour the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium, enjoy lunch at a posh Carmel-by-the-Sea cafe, see the famous waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (check the updated status of the park), and take a sunset stroll at Big Sur. There are plenty of romantic Victorian bed-and-breakfasts where you can spend the night.

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One of the most iconic road trip routes in the USA may very well be down California’s Highway 1 that hugs the rocky Pacific coastline and passes through some of the state’s most popular destinations. Susan B. Barnes

As tempting as it was to stop when we passed through the Paso Robles wine country en route from Carmel (about three hours) via the 101, we arrived in San Luis Obispo County, or SLO CAL as it’s affectionately known, and made a beeline for the Piedras Blancas Rookery near San Simeon and Cambria to see the elephant seals. Susan B. Barnes

There must have been hundreds of seals snoozing on the beach in the warmth of the sun, playing in the waves, and simply enjoying some quiet time before heading back into the cold ocean waters. Susan B. Barnes

After one last visit to the elephant seals, we hopped back into the car and continued along Highway 1 for about two and a half hours until we reached Santa Barbara, known for its art scene, wine scene (there’s even an urban wine trail) and laid-back vibe. Susan B. Barnes

As we tooled along the quiet streets past the Pacific Ocean, historic architecture and the emerging Funk Zone – filled with museums, art galleries, restaurants and an exciting energy – it was easy to see why the city calls itself The American Riviera. Susan B. Barnes

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Best road trip in the middle of nowhere: Marathon to Presidio, Texas

Route: U.S. Highway 385, FM-170 (160 miles)

The only companions you’ll have during long stretches of this paved, two-lane road through Big Bend National Park are cacti and migratory birds. This is one of the most isolated of all U.S. national parks, but it’s also one of the most dramatic, with desert, canyon and mountain landscapes. Santa Elena Canyon is worth the detour from the main park road to see its 1,500-foot drop-offs. Stop for lunch at the 1930s-era Starlight Theatre in the historic Terlingua Ghost Town. Movie buffs will marvel at the abandoned Western film sets at Contrabando.

Where to stay to start your journey: Gage Hotel, Marathon

Runner-up road trip: Great Basin Scenic Highway, Nevada

Best thrill-seeking road trip: The Road to Hana, Hawaii

Route: Routes 36 and 360, from the town of Kahului to Hana and a little beyond (68 miles)

Brace yourself – literally – for the ride of your life. Maui’s Hana Highway may sound tropically dreamy, with its lush rainforests, multi-tiered waterfalls and scenic turnouts, but it’s not for the faint of heart – or weak of stomach. The winding, narrow road encompasses hundreds of curves and dozens of bridges (many of which are one lane), and the first time a fearless local in an SUV zooms by you, you’ll wonder where your breath went. Good places to stop and find it? The Keanae Arboretum (just past mile marker 16), Upper Waikani Falls (mile marker 19), and Kaeleku Caverns (mile marker 31).

The Hawaiian archipelago was formed by volcanic activity, and many of the state's volcanoes remain active. The Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island glows under a starry sky. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of seven national parks in the state and one of the most popular. It's one of the few places in the world where you can witness volcanic action firsthand. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii's volcanic geology means that many of the island's beaches are covered in black sand. Punaluu Black Sand Beach on Hawaii's Kua coast is one of the most famous. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui is home to the island's highest peak of the same name, jutting 10,023 feet above sea level. Many visitors wake up early to catch a sunset from the summit of the volcanic peak. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kauai, the oldest of Hawaii's main islands, is a land of lush valleys, soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Manawaiopuna Falls, one of the most spectacular, is typically reached by helicopter. Getty Images/Zoonar RF

Hawaii isn't typically associated with snow, but when you head to the top of Mauna Kea -- the world's tallest mountain if measured from the ocean floor -- you might find some. It's home to the world's biggest telescope and is a favorite locale among star gazers. Getty Images/iStockphoto

The island of Lanai remains one of Hawaii's most pristine inhabited islands -- home to some of the state's best beaches and natural scenery, like the Kaholo Cliffs. Pierce M Myers Photography/Hawaii Tourism Authority

Not all of Hawaii's activities involve the water. The Kalalau trail on Kauai often ranks among the world's most beautiful hiking trails, but it's also one of the most dangerous. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Those who brave the 11-mile Kalalau trail beginning at Kee Beach (pictured), with its crumbly trail bed and sheer drop-offs, are rewarded with the chance to experience one of the state's most remote stretches of sand, Kalalua Beach. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii is one of the nation's most multicultural states. The state's Asian heritage can be seen at The Great Buddha statue at Lahaina on Maui -- the largest Buddha statue of its kind outside of Japan. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kohola is the Hawaiian word for humpback whale, and an estimated two thirds of the Northern Pacific humpback whale population come to the waters of Hawaii to breed and raise their young. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Even when it's not whale season, the waters off Hawaii's islands teem with life. Some of the state's best diving and snorkeling can be found in Molokini crater, a crescent-shaped marine sanctuary off the coast of Maui. Getty Images

The seven-mile-long stretch of sand known as Polihale sits within Polihale State Park on the island of Kauai. Journeying to the beach via a bumpy dirt road is worth it for the sunset views alone. Flickr/Justin Ornellas

Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island, is the state's youngest, largest and still-growing island. On this island, you can laze on a beach and walk through the snow in a single day. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Anyone who's seen the hit TV series "Lost" will recognize Mokuleia Beach Park in North Shore, Oahu. The beaches here are remote enough that you could easily spend a day without seeing another human being. Getty Images/iStockphoto

For a road trip, island-style, hop in the car, turn on some tunes and drive the road to Hana -- a three hour drive from from Lahaina or Kihei with plenty to see and do along the way. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Surfing is believed to have originated in Polynesia and was once a sport of only Hawaiian royalty. Today, surfers from around the globe come to catch Hawaii's world-class waves. Kirk Lee Aeder, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii's cultural history dates back centuries, and you can learn about it at sites like Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, a once sacred place of worship for native Hawaiians. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park was the site of first significant contact between native Hawaiians and Westerners. Here, visitors can see kii, sacred carvings of deities or ancestral spirits. Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Visiting Molokai is like stepping back in time. One of the island's most charming experiences occurs each Friday night when the island's elders gather for an evening of live music and hula at Hotel Molokai. Dana Edmunds, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Parts of Lanai Island, like Keahiakawelo, have an almost lunar landscape, in contrast to Hawaii's typically lush terrain. Which picture most makes you want to travel to Hawaii? Dana Edmunds, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Best wildlife road trip: Jackson to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Route: U.S. 191 (82 miles plus mileage within the park)

Bison, elk, wolves, moose, bears and dozens of bird species live in America’s first national park, making it one of the best places in the United States to view wildlife. While animals are abundant inside the park, you’ll likely see some species on the short drive from Jackson to the park’s south entrance, and at Grand Teton and Jackson Lake along the way.

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The park’s wildlife is most active during the early morning when most of the park’s visitors are not, and Lamar Valley in Yellowstone’s Northern Range is one of the best places for spotting wildlife. Diane Renkin

You’ll experience the peace and tranquility of fishing along Yellowstone’s 2,650 miles of streams and 150 lakes while collecting biological information on the park’s fish populations through the catch-and-release program. Jim Peaco

Best foodie road trip: Stowe to Rochester, Vermont

Route: Route 100 (49 miles)

Farms, breweries, wineries, creameries, gourmet shops and restaurants are nestled along the rolling pastures of Route 100, which bisects the prettiest state in New England. Take a leisurely drive along the north-south artery and its side roads, stopping to nibble artisanal cheeses at various farm shops and creameries. Sip apple cider and buy maple syrup at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, and taste robust red wines at Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge. Browse Weston’s Vermont Country Store – its retro candies alone are worth the stop. And the grand finale? A tour of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory in Waterbury.

Where to stay to start your journey: Town & Country Resort Motor Inn, Stowe

Lake Champlain has a dozen lighthouses along its banks. If you're in Burlington, you'll likely see the Burlington Breakwater North Lighthouse, a replica of the original nineteenth century structure. Getty Images/iStockphoto

With more than 60 golf courses throughout the state, Vermont's golfing scene has something for everyone. For the best combination of scenery and challenge, tee off at Stowe or Mt. Snow. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best motorcycle road trip: Los Angeles to Taos, New Mexico

Route: Interstate 40 (916 miles)

Aching to be your very own counterculture hippie on a soul-searching odyssey? Billy and Wyatt (aka Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda) covered this course and then some in the 1969 film "Easy Rider." They were headed to New Orleans for Mardi Gras; if you don’t have it in you to make such a lengthy trip, we suggest just covering the section from California to New Mexico (or at least Flagstaff, Arizona), with a detour to the Grand Canyon.

Best fall foliage road trip: Lead Hill to Hot Springs, Arkansas

Route: Arkansas State Highway 7 (179 miles)

I’d normally select New England for autumn’s most kaleidoscopic colors, but even its most out-of-the-way back roads can be congested during peak periods. Instead, drive along Arkansas’ first state-designated scenic byway to Ozark National Forest, which has 42 different species of oak trees, plus hickories, maples, beech and ash, among others. Such a vast variety of trees results in unimaginable colors painting the region’s low river valleys and hillsides. If you get an early enough start, have breakfast or lunch at Cliff House Inn and Restaurant overlooking Arkansas’ version of the Grand Canyon, in the town of Jasper.

Where to stay to start your journey: Cliff House Inn, Jasper (open from early March through the first or second weekend in November)

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During this time of year, the trees create a colorful scenery that makes the autumn season special. Enjoy pictures of this year's best fall foliage around the world, including this one from Harts Location, New Hampshire on Oct. 10 2018. CJ GUNTHER, EPA-EFE

A pile of fallen leaves collected by road sweepers on a street in Berlin, Germany on Oct. 24, 2018. Berlin experiences a chilly fall weather with the temperatures up to 11 degree Celsius. HAYOUNG JEON, EPA-EFE

Fall trees in the Tuileries Garden surround the Luxor Obelisk standing in the center of the Place de la Concorde in front the Grand Palais in Paris on October 11, 2018. PHILIPPE LOPEZ, AFP/Getty Images

Best classic America road trip: Beartooth Highway, Montana

A zigzagging road with countless switchbacks, endless views and steep climbs, the Beartooth Highway seems to have changed little since Civil War General Philip Sheridan led 120 men along the route. Certainly, the views are the same: snow-topped rocky mountains, the bluest of blue skies and bypasses through Custer National Forest, Shoshone National Forest and Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. No wonder longtime road tripper Charles Kuralt, the late CBS correspondent, called it “the most beautiful drive in America.” Note that the road is only open mid-May through mid-October.

Utah has 11 certified International Dark Sky Parks, so why not create a road trip to all of them? In addition to the well-known Bryce Canyon, other parks with an IDA-certified designation include Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Cedar Breaks and Kodachrome Basin. Along the way, you can glamp in a Conestoga wagon and yurt. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can start at Zion and make your way through the state’s five national parks, ending at Arches in Moab.

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At Arches National Park in Utah, campers can connect with the past. While settling in for the night, watch our galaxy overhead as stars uncloak one by one. In a short time, the night sky fills with thousands of glittering jewels -- too many to count. Arches National Park’s work as a Dark Sky Park has helped promote the natural beauty of the sky and its struggle against light pollution. Manish Mamtani, www.sharetheexperience.com

Called “The Badlands” by nineteenth-century French trappers because of the difficult terrain to cross, Badlands National Park is anything but “bad.” The park offers views that can stretch over 50 miles and the isolation required to see some killer night skies. On any given night, visitors can see more than 7,500 stars. Erik Fremstad, www.sharetheexperience.com

The Cadiz Dunes are some of the most remote landscape in California. Encompassing over 19,000 acres of the Cadiz Dune system, these public lands give you plenty of space to find the perfect spot to watch the stars. Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Canyonlands National Park offers stunning landscapes, along with deep geological and cultural history. This Utah park showcases the incredible effects of the long-term erosion of a landscape made of sedimentary rock. Camp at Island in the Sky to see some of these breathtaking views and a couple thousand stars throughout the night. Emily Ogden, National Park Service

Come to Denali National Park from autumn to early spring to get breathtaking views of the aurora borealis. While the aurora occurs year-round, it is only visible in the park for about seven months when the night sky is dark enough. It’s a view you won’t want to miss. Kent Miller, National Park Service

Almost 70 miles west of Florida’s Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park consisting of seven islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this park’s views are worth the extra travel time. Dry Tortugas’s majestic Fort Jefferson, beautiful blue waters and surrounding coral reefs make it an amazing gem in the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Berkes, www.sharetheexperience.com

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir resides on the border between Utah and Wyoming and provides vital water storage and hydropower generation. The reservoir’s dam stands an impressive 502 feet tall but is hard to compare to the beauty and grace of Green River’s sharp cliffs. Meyer Lewin, www.sharetheexperience.com

Glacier National Park is one of our finest parks for stargazing, so much so that it was named an International Dark Sky Park. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch the aurora borealis. Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service

History stretches back over 10,000 years at Hovenweep National Monument to when nomadic Paleoindians passed through while hunting. The name “Hovenweep” is a Paiute/Ute word meaning “Deserted Valley,” which was adopted in 1874 by pioneer photographer William Henry Jackson. The structures at Hovenweep seen in the photo date back as far as 1200 A.D., allowing visitors to travel back to see what humans saw from these observatories hundreds of years ago. Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service

Joshua Tree National Park is marked by two desert ecosystems coming together -- the Mojave and the Colorado. The conjoining of ecosystems gives this California park a wide diversity of wildlife and plants, including the famous Joshua Tree, which looks like it was happily plucked straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Check out this fantastic park for a one-of-a-kind vegetation and great night skies. Brad Sutton, National Park Service

Lassen National Park in California is marked by volcanic geology, including fumaroles (volcanic vents), boiling pools and steaming grounds galore. Attend an astronomy program to get a closer view of stars with binoculars or even witness the rings of Saturn through a telescope. Alison Taggart-Barone, National Park Service

The Snake River winds through Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Areas in Idaho. This land is home to the greatest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America. Some 800 pairs of eagles, hawks and falcons come each spring to mate and raise their young. It’s an amazing sight to see young birds learn to fly and hunt along the Snake River. Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Mount Rainier National Park’s majestic peak towers over 14,000 feet tall and contains 25 named glaciers. During the summer months this Washington park turns into a rainbow of colors, filled with valleys overflowing with colorful wildflowers. Pictured here, the Milky Way erupts from the mountain. If you look closely, you can see the climbers getting an early start reaching to summit. Evan Eremita, www.sharetheexperience.com

Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah contains three beautiful natural bridges named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu honoring the Native Americans who once made this area their home. Centuries ago, intermittent streams cut through sandstone to form these three bridges. Today, trails wind through the park’s deep canyons, cottonwood groves and pass all three bridges in one stunning hike. Manish Mamtani, www.sharetheexperience.com

Part of Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Pole Creek Wilderness in Idaho has stunning mountains, hoodoos, natural arches and river canyons galore. Those looking to escape hectic urban life will not be disappointed. Step back into history and experience the wild west at the the Owyhee Canyonlands. Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

An icon of the great American west, the saguaro overwhelms the landscape of Arizona’s Saguaro National Park. The saguaro is one of America’s rarest plants --it only grows in the Sonoran Desert. No trip to Saguaro National Park is complete without catching a glimpse of these desert symbols. Aaron Rayburn, www.sharetheexperience.com

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia lies just a mere 75 miles from the city lights of Washington, D.C. but it’s dark skies seem light years away. In this photo, the Milky Way shines over the Blue Ridge Mountains with the Perseid Meteor Shower visible. Zack Danik, www.sharetheexperience.com

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge contains a mix of Minnesota’s tallgrass prairie, wetlands and “Big Woods.” This wildlife refuge is an important habitat for bird species, including Sandhill Cranes and red-headed woodpeckers. The aurora borealis isn’t often seen in Minnesota, but when conditions are just right, it can make for a beautiful experience. Bryan Worth, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

A hiker captured this photo of the Milky Way on the trail to the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome. This peak in Tennessee hugs the border of North Carolina, stretching 6,643 feet up to offer 360 degree views of the Smokies. Tom Blankenship, www.sharetheexperience.com

Closely associated with Alaskan nights, the Northern Lights snake through the skies above White Mountains National Recreation Area. Aside from camping, this area’s more than 240 miles of maintained winter trails offers great winter recreation opportunities -- from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to dog sledding and snowmobiling. No matter your activity, you can find breathtaking views, and on a clear night, northern lights illuminating the skies. Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Old Faithful’s multiple daily eruptions draw massive crowds at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The huge spurts of water can expel between 3,700-8,400 gallons in the span of a few minutes with water temperatures reaching over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This natural phenomenon makes for a great show, especially with Yellowstone’s beautiful night sky as the backdrop. Neal Herbert, National Park Service

The Milky Way dominates the sky above Zion National Park’s towering sandstone cliffs. These colorful 2,000-foot cliffs were sculpted over 250 million years ago from sand dunes of a desert. Today, this Utah park’s diverse topography and ecosystems allow more than 1,000 species of plants, 207 species of bird and 67 species of mammals to flourish here. David Mills, www.sharetheexperience.com

Best mountain road trip: Beaver Creek to Keystone, Colorado

Route: Interstate 70 (70 miles)

Whether you’re planning an epic ski vacation or an outdoor adventure trip during the off-season, the Rocky Mountains are your best bet for a mountain road trip. Start in Beaver Creek and then head to Vail. During summer Vail is home to “Epic Discovery,” where you can zip line, alpine coaster, summer tube and more. Make stops at Cooper Mountain, Frisco and Breckenridge, then end in Keystone. Just don’t leave without having dinner at the Ski Tip Lodge.

Where to stay to start your journey: The Osprey at Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek